One Of The Oldest Cities In The US Is A Unique Cultural Gem With Beautiful Scenery

Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, was home to Native American tribes for generations before Spanish colonizers settled there in 1607. As such, the city has a rich history that makes it an ideal destination for travelers to explore and unravel. Not only does the city boast stunning architecture reflective of its past, but it also boasts a reputation for being a cultural hub, known for its thriving arts scene. The city is embedded in a landscape that makes it a haven for nature lovers who also want their vacation to give them the option of dipping out of the city for a while to make the best of what nature has to offer.

Santa Fe is well-connected, with Santa Fe New Mexico Regional Airport (SAF) offering taxi and car services into the city and Albuquerque International Sunport (ALQ) under 70 miles away. While you can hire a car to get from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, there are multiple bus and shuttle services between the two cities. Santa Fe is also well-served when it comes to accommodation options suitable for solo travelers, couples, families, and larger groups. The Hotel Santa Fe, Hacienda & Spa is perfectly suited to the spirit of the city, and is known for its rich decor, southwestern charm, and wide array of luxurious spa services. ​The Sage Hotel is a popular budget option that includes free breakfast and features striking decor with a distinct Southwest flair.

In Santa Fe, you can visit many historic and cultural sites that shaped its character. Among them are religious buildings such as the San Miguel Chapel, which has the distinction of being the oldest church in the continental United States — it's so old that historians aren't sure when it was built, but it could have been as early as 1610. Then there's the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis Assisi, on which construction was completed in 1887. Meanwhile, the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library is the oldest library in the state, dating from 1851, and operates a huge object collection and photo archive related to the history of the state, both of which are open for public use. Santa Fe also includes New Mexico's oldest public building, the Palace of the Governors, which today is part of the New Mexico History Museum.

Santa Fe's multicultural history makes it a hive of diverse ideas and traditions, an aspect that fuels its creative spirit. The Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum exhibits much of the city's artistic heritage, with a huge collection of Spanish colonial art, while the Wheelwright Museum is the place to go for contemporary Native American art and Southwestern jewelry. For poetry lovers, there is the Haiku Pathway at Santa Fe Community College, featuring stones inscribed with poems by students and notable New Mexico poets. Be sure to check out Ethyl the Whale, a life-sized 82-foot statue of a blue whale made of recycled plastic, created to bring attention to the problem of plastic waste in our oceans.

Heading out of the city and exploring the local area can be hugely rewarding on a trip to Santa Fe, offering you the chance to enjoy New Mexico's striking desert landscape as well as encounter several must-see historic sites. Bandelier National Monument is well worth a visit, including mesas, canyons, and 23,000 acres of wilderness. Obtain a tribal pass to access Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, accessible via the Cochiti Pueblo, which offers numerous picturesque hiking trails between imposing volcanic rock formations.

Head to the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, which passes by Santa Fe as part of a 2,700-mile route that traces those used by fur trappers, railroad workers, and more down the generations. Meanwhile, the Pecos National Historical Park is described as "a convergence of culture" by the National Park Service, positioned at a historic crossroads with mountain walks, finishing opportunities, and artistic programs.

For a charming walk close to the city, visit Santa Fe Botanical Garden on Museum Hill. Located in piñon-juniper woodland, it features a beautiful orchard as well as a wide range of native and non-native plant species that have adapted to the harsh desert landscape, and contains numerous trails that take you out of the gardens, allowing you to explore nearby sights. For more New Mexico adventures, check out the underrated city of Bloomfield, which is also great for fly fishing, as well as this incredible ghost town situated halfway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.